Beware, Vampire bats develop taste for human blood

Despite their name as 'Vampire bats', wild bats in Brazil were earlier thought to feed only on the blood of birds. But recent research proved that they have started feeding on human blood as well. 
 

Researchers have found that the creatures found in north-east Brazil are feeding on human blood at night. Scientists came to know about the development after analysing the faeces of hairy-legged vampire bats, Diphylla ecaudata (D. ecaudata), collected from Catimbau National Park. The finding has raised serious health concerns as of the 15 samples analysed 20% were found to have traces of human DNA. 
 

Researchers were surprised with the discovery as it was believed that the species is not adapted to feed on blood of mammals. 
 

It is common for Vampire bats to target birds as they can better process the fat, the main component of their blood. The high protein content in the blood of mammals is difficult to process. 
 

The new trend raises serious health concerns as it may lead to an outbreak of rabies, as bats are a major transmitter of the disease-causing virus.  
 

It is believed that large-scale deforestation and human encroachment may be driving the species to try human blood. Humans have occupied vast areas of the national park, and birds like Guan and Tinamous, that bats usually prey are disappearing from the area owing to hunting and deforestation. The blood samples also contained the blood of poultry in the area. 
 

The scientists said the bats are adapting to the new environment and is exploiting new resources. They were earlier found to start feeding on blood of wild pigs 

• Vampire bats
• Vampire bats feeding on human blood
• blood of mammals
• rabies causing virus
• rabies